Abstract

Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) is widely accepted as both a basic measure of aerobic capacity, as well as an indicator of potential cardiovascular performance. The VO2 max test protocol selected by the researcher has the potential to influence the results, as previous research has shown that graded exercise tests with larger stage-to-stage increases in energy requirements weaken the strength of the relationship between VO2 max and work rate. Further research has provided evidence suggesting protocols with shorter time durations in each stage can provide results similar to those observed when using protocols with greater energy requirements between stages. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare energy expenditure of a one-minute stage interval VO2 max protocol with an Astrand Treadmill VO2 max protocol. METHODS: Following IRB approval, a total of 15 subjects volunteered for the study. Subjects reported for testing on two separate occasion with testing separated between 2 and 4 days. Prior to each session a 10-minute warm-up was performed. In randomized order, participants completed either the Astrand Treadmill protocol or the modified graded exercise treadmill test. RESULTS: Time to exhaustion for the Astrand protocol and the modified protocol were found to be highly correlated with a Pearson correlation of r = 0.865 (p ≤ .001). A strong correlation was also found between calculated VO2 max from the Astrand protocol and the modified protocol with a Pearson correlation of r = 0.865 (p ≤ .001). The correlations between the Astrand Treadmill protocol and the modified graded exercise test protocol for both time to exhaustion (p = .000) and calculated VO2 max (p = .000) were found to be significant. CONCLUSION: These data provide support for the use of a modified graded exercise treadmill test using 1-minute stage intervals for assessing VO2 max. This research may provide guidance for researchers and exercise physiologists as an additional option for measuring VO2 max, particularly if laboratory time and resources are limited.